Lance Stroll and Pedro de la Rosa visit Cognizant's Hyderabad campus

As part of 'Celebrating Cognizant', a six-month series of sporting and cultural activities designed to bring together Cognizant associates in a celebration of shared values and achievements, Cognizant hosted Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team driver Lance Stroll and driver ambassador Pedro de la Rosa at its GAR campus in Hyderabad.

Cognizant, a global leader in technology and professional services, began its partnership with Aston Martin Aramco in 2021, marking the Aston Martin's return to Formula One. Since then, Cognizant has played a pivotal role as the team's digital transformation partner, strengthening IT infrastructure and streamlining daily operations.

Following the Singapore Grand Prix, Lance and Pedro met with Global Technology Services Partner Cognizant's leadership team and connected with hundreds of associates, offering valuable insights into how Cognizant's digital expertise drives innovation for the team, especially as the sport looks ahead to the 2026 regulations and beyond.

A key highlight of the event was an invigorating fireside chat featuring Lance and Pedro in conversation with Rajesh Varrier, President – Global Operations and Chairman & Managing Director, Cognizant India. Through a lively Q&A session, they underscored the transformative role that technology plays in Formula One and the Cognizant partnership and engaged with enthusiastic associates.

Complementing the on-ground celebrations, Cognizant hosted a virtual multi-week hackathon that brought together nine teams from three organisations supported by its Outreach programme – Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Basar, Vizag Volunteers Association and Kalam Dream Labs. The participants competed to develop creative, low-code or code-based solutions that will help shape Aston Martin Aramco's Ai.lonso avatar into a dynamic, emotionally engaging digital companion for fans.

The top two teams – Team Ask Alonso from Vizag Volunteers Association and Team Infinity Loopers from Kalam Dream Labs – won cash prizes, were invited to attend the fireside chat and earned the opportunity for a photo session with Lance and Pedro.

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Aramco driver, said:

"It was a pleasure to visit the Cognizant offices in Hyderabad and meet so many of the team. Hearing first-hand about Cognizant's technology and services was valuable, and we felt incredibly welcomed by everyone we met."

Rajesh Varrier, President – Global Operations and Chairman & Managing Director, Cognizant India, said:

"Today's celebration with Lance is a proud moment for our associates and a powerful reminder of how far we have come in shaping the future of the Aston Martin Aramco through innovation. I am inspired by what we have achieved together and optimistic about the promise this partnership holds for the future."